Wait, What?

I blinked and it is week six of the school year.

I'm not quite sure how that happened, but I'm loving third grade.  I'm definitely still adjusting to the difference in ages.  When I plan activities, I'm thinking about where fifth graders are at the end of the year and quite frankly, that's a big difference when compared to where my third graders are right now. 

We've already had our back to school rodeo night:

Sorting into houses:

Potluck:

As well as received our first book orders, had book fair, and completed benchmark standardized testing. 

We've had fire drills and a practice lock down.  We've had our first Reading Rangers graduate, assemblies, I've been observed by several different teachers, and been in lots of meetings.  

Things are going well with my mentee, who is another third grade teacher in my pod.  I also have a student teacher and I'm learning how this teaching relationship works.  Both my mentee and my student teacher are doing great!

Bring on week 6!

Random Acts of Kindness

Rule 11: 

Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.  Go out of your way to do something surprisingly kind and generous for someone at least once a month.

(Ron Clark's Essential 55)

My skills are not found in the kitchen, so baking goods for others is out of the question. I'd rather not poison loved ones.  That kind of defeats the whole random acts of kindness plan.  Instead, I'd rather spend my time creating something.

The premise is simple. With a $20 budget, I'll select one person each month to surprise with some sort of craft project.  I won't just be selecting my friends but rather try to truly tune into all the events at school.  I've got the first three planned out and a few other possibilities swirling around my brain.

August's candidate: Mrs. A

Mrs. A works at my school site but isn't a classroom teacher.  She's our speech pathologist and doesn't always feel like part of a team.  It's got to be hard essentially being a one person department.  Her oldest is starting kindergarten (at our school) and a close work wife abruptly retired at the end of the school year for a continent move.  Plus she's a super awesome person.

She likes lady bugs, so I decided to make a wreath incorporating one.  To keep within my self-imposed budget, I went with a smaller sized frame and waited until burlap was on sale.

The supplies:

Wire frame 

1 roll of tan wired burlap (it holds the shape better) 

2 mini rolls of patterned burlap (chevron maroon and black)

1 wooden lady bug

Floral wire

hot glue gun 

The crafting itself was rather quick because of the size, my procrastination (I don't want to label any more books right now), and that I've done a good dozen of these wreaths by now. 

I also included a small note explaining the gift.

 

I made the base of solid burlap first and then wove in the patterned parts.  I used a hot glue gun to attach the lady bug and let the wreath sit overnight.

 

I'll be keying into her room this morning and leaving it on her desk. I'm fairly certain she'll be in today but all teachers in our district must report back tomorrow.  

What small gestures can you do to spread #rule11?